Wildfires Continue in Canada; Air Quality in Several U.S. Cities is 'Dangerous'

Wildfires in Canada continued on Thursday; thousands have left their homes, and smoke from the fires has engulfed several major cities in the U.S. While wildfires are common in Canada, it is unprecedented for them to blaze simultaneously in both the east and west to the extent that the government has deployed the military for assistance. Justin Trudeau, the Prime Minister of Canada, blamed climate change for this issue. He tweeted: 'These fires are impacting our daily lives, livelihoods, and air quality.' Hundreds of American firefighters have gone to assist Canada, with more forces on the way. Trudeau thanked U.S. President Joe Biden for his support. Quebec is experiencing the worst of the fires, with over 11,000 people forced to evacuate their homes there. In parts of British Columbia, facing the second-largest wildfire in history, temperatures are expected to reach 33 degrees Celsius on Thursday, followed by thunderstorms. Rob Schweitzer, the executive director of wildlife in the province, stated that lightning could ignite new fires in the dry forests, and the outcome depends on rainfall. The Blue Sky Canada smoke prediction website shows that smoke from the fires has covered most areas of the country. This smoke will remain thick in cities along the eastern U.S. coast, including New York. Schools across the eastern U.S. have canceled outdoor activities, air traffic has slowed, and millions of Americans have been urged to stay home. Health officials from Vermont to South Carolina and western Ohio and Kansas have warned citizens not to go outside due to high levels of fine particles that can cause respiratory problems. Joe Biden tweeted: 'It is very important for Americans experiencing dangerous air pollution levels, especially those with health issues, to heed local officials' warnings and protect themselves and their families.' Citizens in the U.S. capital, Washington D.C., are also facing the worst air quality in at least two decades. The Environmental Protection Agency measures air pollution or cleanliness with an air quality index that varies from zero to five hundred, with higher numbers indicating worse air pollution. On Thursday, June 8, Washington reached a purple code with an air quality index between 200 and 300, meaning everyone is at risk and it is recommended to stay indoors. Images shared on social media show the U.S. Capitol and the Washington Monument covered in a haze, with the sun appearing orange. The sky in New York has also darkened, and residents report a smell of burnt wood. Kathy Hochul, the Governor of New York, has called the current situation an 'emergency crisis' and stated that the air quality index in parts of her state has been eight times higher than normal. Reduced visibility from the haze has forced the Federal Aviation Administration to slow air traffic to New York and Philadelphia. Research from Stanford University indicates that exposure to wildfire smoke that raises the air quality index to 150 for several days, if a person is outside the entire time, is equivalent to smoking about seven cigarettes a day. Breathing this smoke leads to increased heart attacks and strokes, higher emergency room visits, eye irritation, skin itching, and other health problems. The smoke from Canadian wildfires has caused Americans to wear masks. Kaveh Madani: Climate change will lead to forced migration and ultimately conflict. A university study: 'Air pollution' directly impacts the 'life expectancy' of Iranians. United Nations: Wildfires are on the rise globally.